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Latest update re NHS funding the Libra system

C

Copernicus

Well-Known Member
Messages
168
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Just had an update from my G.P. about funding the Libra on the NHS. To say I am annoyed and disappointed is an understatement
Basically because I have been funding the Libra system myself and as a result of which my control is now almost perfect, the NHS will not fund the system for me because my diabetes is now well controlled so I don't qualify ! So the answer appears to be, don't try and be sensible and look after yourself, let your blood sugars go haywire and then after you have collapsed a few times, the NHS will then fund you the Libra. Of course once you are back under control, they will stop funding it,.so much for the government and Abbott Labs claiming it was now available on the NHS.
Absolutely ridiculous. Needless to say I will once again be contacting The Prime Minister, the Health Secretary, my local M.P. and the media.
 
Copernicus said:
Just had an update from my G.P. about funding the Libra on the NHS. To say I am annoyed and disappointed is an understatement
Basically because I have been funding the Libra system myself and as a result of which my control is now almost perfect, the NHS will not fund the system for me because my diabetes is now well controlled so I don't qualify ! So the answer appears to be, don't try and be sensible and look after yourself, let your blood sugars go haywire and then after you have collapsed a few times, the NHS will then fund you the Libra. Of course once you are back under control, they will stop funding it,.so much for the government and Abbott Labs claiming it was now available on the NHS.
Absolutely ridiculous. Needless to say I will once again be contacting The Prime Minister, the Health Secretary, my local M.P. and the media.
Click to expand...

I wish the NHS and Abbott Labs are more compassionate towards diabetics.

The cost of Libre is a killer and worse than Diabetes itself!
 
Kbarbaracollins_ said:
Just contacted my local Boots in Chesterfield and they have confirmed they can supply at £35 each with VAT exemption. They’ve ordered me 4 for collection Thursday. Fingers crossed
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Wow, a Boots near me are charging £62 for each sensor and no VAT exemption. Someone I know had gone in and asked. I figured all Boots would charge the same but I may go and investigate other Boots stores around me...

In terms of NHS availability in Cornwall, it's a big fat no overall. The reason is that it's not cost-effective but my specialist wants to see it start being prescribed. Gonna have to wait and see on that front.
 
indyjholtzmann said:
Wow, a Boots near me are charging £62 for each sensor and no VAT exemption. Someone I know had gone in and asked. I figured all Boots would charge the same but I may go and investigate other Boots stores around me...

In terms of NHS availability in Cornwall, it's a big fat no overall. The reason is that it's not cost-effective but my specialist wants to see it start being prescribed. Gonna have to wait and see on that front.
Click to expand...
Not everyone will be aware how VAT exemption works or even that it's available, if you fill the form in for it http://www.diabetes.co.uk/vat-exemption.html might be easier to start persuading them to do the right thing.
 
NewTD2 said:
I wish the NHS and Abbott Labs are more compassionate towards diabetics.

The cost of Libre is a killer and worse than Diabetes itself!
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It depends on the circumstances of the individual and how many times one tests per day.

As a T1 who drives, I might test 10 times a day, even more if I have to drive somewhere for work. 50 Glucomen test strips cost around £20 to £25. So over a month, the (self funded) cost of the Libre wouldn't be massively higher than the cost of strips for me were the NHS to fund it.

Of course I still have to use test strips anyway to satisfy DVLA but I currently rely on the Libre for my meal time testing.
 
DaveTC said:
Not everyone will be aware how VAT exemption works or even that it's available, if you fill the form in for it http://www.diabetes.co.uk/vat-exemption.html might be easier to start persuading them to do the right thing.
Click to expand...
Huh, I'll look into that. It'd make the sensor around £50 then so not much more expensive than Abbott. Be incredibly handy if I'm ever desperate for a sensor. Thanks!
 
I think competitors should get in there to bring the cost down. I think a way for nhs to encourage that.
It 'ant over til the fat lady sings.

I'd say watch this space!
 
ickihun said:
I think competitors should get in there to bring the cost down. I think a way for nhs to encourage that.
It 'ant over til the fat lady sings.

I'd say watch this space!
Click to expand...

Better hope their patents aren't watertight then.
 
urbanracer said:
It depends on the circumstances of the individual and how many times one tests per day.

As a T1 who drives, I might test 10 times a day, even more if I have to drive somewhere for work. 50 Glucomen test strips cost around £20 to £25. So over a month, the (self funded) cost of the Libre wouldn't be massively higher than the cost of strips for me were the NHS to fund it.

Of course I still have to use test strips anyway to satisfy DVLA but I currently rely on the Libre for my meal time testing.
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I was told by my GP that I need to test before driving with a strip tester as the Libra would not count. I didn't ask why but I assume that it because this kind of system is always 20 mins behind the real blood sugar due to the way the sensor gathers its information.
 
ickihun said:
I think competitors should get in there to bring the cost down. I think a way for nhs to encourage that.
It 'ant over til the fat lady sings.

I'd say watch this space!
Click to expand...

I was given a free week long test of a medtronic guardian a while back, can't remember when, maybe about 12 years ago. Can't remember the price but £4000 for the receiver and £400 per month for the sensors is ringing a bell! So we are making a little progress price wise.

Obviously I'd prefer if they were cheaper, but the flip side is that if Abbott, or any other company in the game, knew that they would not be making a profit on them after years of development and the costs and risks that come with that, they just wouldn't have bothered developing them, so we wouldn't have them at all.

There's some interesting things happening - a chemist a short bus ride away from me is selling at the NHS cost price of £35, so I'll be paying him a few visits in the new year. He charges £10 per order so he'll make a bit of a profit, but it's per order, not per sensor, so brings the price down a fair bit if ordering several, so win- win.

I popped into my local chemist recently told him about the other chemist and asked if he'd have a look at the link below which is used for business purchases. No harm in people spreading the word round their chemists and seeing what happens.

https://www.freestylelibrepharmacyportal.co.uk/
 
Maybe after a few year of libra usage by drivers in France, the DVLA will also libra without also using a strip.
 
David Tuck said:
I was told by my GP that I need to test before driving with a strip tester as the Libra would not count. I didn't ask why but I assume that it because this kind of system is always 20 mins behind the real blood sugar due to the way the sensor gathers its information.
Click to expand...

The DVLA has so far approved blood glucose meters that conform to an ISO (15197:2013) standard. From the end of May 2016 the meter must meet a level of accuracy of +/- 0.83mmol/L for laboratory concentrations under 5.6mmol/L, and +/- 15% above 5.6mmol/L. Furthermore, it must meet the accuracy levels 95% of the time.

If I understand the datasheet correctly, the Freestyle Libre is only accurate 79% of the time at the bottom end of the scale and they appear to use the pre 2013 reference range of <4.2mmol/L.

Personally, I cannot see DVLA abandoning the requirement to meet the ISO standard anytime soon so the Freestyle Libre needs some improvement.
 
David Tuck said:
I was told by my GP that I need to test before driving with a strip tester as the Libra would not count. I didn't ask why but I assume that it because this kind of system is always 20 mins behind the real blood sugar due to the way the sensor gathers its information.
Click to expand...

The Libre is not recognised by DVSA so legally you must still finger prick test before a 2 hour journey and every two hours
 
bushbri said:
The Libre is not recognised by DVSA so legally you must still finger prick test before a 2 hour journey and every two hours
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Would someone please show me where it says that Diabetics are legally bound to blood test before driving. Every article I can find states that this is just advisory. Sensible yes, but not legally binding.
 
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Copernicus said:
Would someone please show me where it says that Diabetics are legally bound to blood test before driving. Every article I can find states that this is just advisory. Sensible yes, but lot legally binding.
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“Dangerous Driving” is defined as driving in a way that you know or should have known puts you or other drivers at risk. Therefore as the advice says you should test, it is “Dangerous Driving” if you do not. Also, the driving licence laws say you must keep to any (and all) conditions on your licence and inform them of any medical issues or drugs that MAY affect your driving.
 
Copernicus said:
Would someone please show me where it says that Diabetics are legally bound to blood test before driving. Every article I can find states that this is just advisory. Sensible yes, but lot legally binding.
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https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/diab1-confidential-medical-information
Click on the link and question 1.2 tells you their.

Your insurance would not pay out on any claim made IF you had no proof that you was not fit to drive ie. done a bs test before starting to drive. Insurances try to find any way to not pay on a claim and by informing them they would look into any claim you make.
 
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porl69 said:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/diab1-confidential-medical-information
Click on the link and question 1.2 tells you their.

Your insurance would not pat out on any claim made IF you had no proof that you was not fit to drive ie. done a bs test before starting to drive. Insurances try to find any way to not pay on a claim and by informing them they would look into any claim you make.
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That's not the question I am asking, where does it say in writing that you have to legally test before driving. As far as I can see you don't. I asked my consultant this very question and he confirmed that it is only advisable. Don't get me wrong I'm not suggesting for one moment you don't test your blood but |I get annoyed when people say that Diabetics are legally obliged to do things when in fact they aren't. Perhaps someone on this forum can once and for all confirm the legal position. Even the DVLA website says that blood testing before driving and then every 2 hours, is only advisable.
 
Copernicus said:
Would someone please show me where it says that Diabetics are legally bound to blood test before driving. Every article I can find states that this is just advisory. Sensible yes, but not legally binding.
Click to expand...

Safety comes first, with a large sprinkling of common sense, for one's own safety and other road users too. I am not a driver, but I would test frequently if I did drive. Maybe one day in the future it may become a legal requirement if passed by the House of Commons and The House of Lords,
Big brother is everywhere..............................................
 
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